Yahoo Female Executive Sued By Ex-Employee For Sexual Harassment

The Yahoo logo is seen on a sign outside of the company's headquarters in Sunnyvale. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

SUNNYVALE (CBS SF) — Yahoo and a high-level female executive are being sued by a woman who claims sexual harassment and wrongful termination.

In the complaint, plaintiff Nan Shi, who worked as a principal software engineer, claims Maria Zhang, a senior director of engineering at Yahoo Mobile, coerced her into having sex then removed her as project lead when she finally resisted.

Shi is seeking monetary as well as punitive damages. The lawsuit also names Yahoo as a defendant.

Maria Zhang (LinkedIn)

Yahoo released a statement saying “there is absolutely no basis or truth to the allegations against Maria Zhang. Maria is an exemplary Yahoo executive and we intend to fight vigorously to clear her name.”

In the complaint, Shi accuses the company’s human resources personnel did nothing when Shi complained about her direct supervisor’s advances, then put her on unpaid leave before firing her.